Woodbridge N. Ferris, president, Ferris Institute

              WOODBRIDGE N. FERRIS
President Ferris Institute
Woodbridge  N.  Ferris
GREETING
IN this age of rag-time music, rag-time oratory, rag-time education, rag-time religion, rag-time politics, rag-time life insurance, rag-time banking, and rag-time divorce, fame is the reward of the successful advertiser. WOODBRIDGE N. FERRIS isn't famous, he isn't a great orator, he isn't a pessimist nor is he an optimist. He has been a schoolmaster for about one-third of a century—in fact he has had a lot of fun trying to awaken young people to a realization of some of their possibilities. By way of special diversion he has always been a democrat. He has been a candidate for Mayor of Big Rapids, a candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction, a candidate for Governor of Michigan. Owing to a scarcity of democrats he has never been allowed to render his country any special service. His humor is accidental, not intentional; his irony and sarcasm are inherited, his practical sense is the result of his educational, religious and political knock-downs. In education, religion and politics, Mr. Ferris is a radical. During the past twenty years he has given one thousand lectures in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Strange as it may seem, all of his available time for the platform is in demand. Committees and organizations who are searching for a man with a message will find in Mr. Ferris a man who instructs, awakens and inspires.
SUBJECTS:
Making the World Better.
Getting On in the World.
The Philosophy of Human Nature.
The Art of Reading Human Nature.
The Building of a Man.
Master Motives.
For Terms, Address  W.  N.  FERRIS,
BIG RAPIDS, MICH.
PRESS NOTICES
Prof. Ferris' lecture was one of the finest ever heard in Kalamazoo.—Kalamazoo Evening News.
Mr. Ferris' subject for the evening was "Making the World Better." He gave a talk that for over an hour held the immense audience spellbound.—Kala¬mazoo Gazette.
Mr. Ferris' lecture was a masterly effort, and completely won and held the vast audience, all of whom were lavish in their praise of the speech and speaker.—Lowell Journal, Lowell, Mich.
Mr. Ferris is a clear and forcible speaker, strong in imagery, earnest and impressive in manner, hold¬ing the unwavering attention of his audience.—Iron County Reporter, Iron River, Mich.
The members of the local Y. M. C. A. enjoyed a brilliant lecture from W. N. Ferris, of Big Rapids, last evening, on "Making the World Better." The lecture was unanimously voted the best event of the membership course offered so far.—Detroit Journal.
A brilliant lecture was delivered by Prof. W. N. Ferris, of Big Rapids, to the members of the Y. M. C. A. last night in Association Hall. "Making the World Better" was his subject, and it was by far the best attraction thus far offered by the association in its membership course of entertainments. Mr. Ferris' lecture was full of bright sayings, humorous anecdotes and sound logic so cleverly mixed that for more than an hour and a half he held the closest attention of his audience.—Detroit Free Press.
The lecture by Prof. Ferris at the Presbyterian church drew a much larger crowd than could gain admission to the lecture room and many had to go away disappointed. It was a great pity that anyone had to be deprived of the profit and inspiration of Prof. Ferris' masterly discourse on "Making the World Better."—Pontiac Post, Pontiac, Mich.
W. N. Ferris, of Big Rapids, was greeted by a large audience last evening at the First Baptist church. He held the closest attention from the start to the finish. He is a true orator. He speaks for a purpose, and with the most telling effect. Such lec¬tures surely "make the world better."—State Repub¬lican, Lansing, Mich.
The lecture was a rare treat from every stand¬point. Mr. Ferris is in perfect touch with his listeners, whom he subdues to breathless silence or evokes to peals of laughter at his will.—Eccen¬tric, Birmingham, Mich.
Prof. Ferris entertains and instructs. He holds the attention of his hearers so close that one scarce realizes the passage of time. Last night he talked more than an hour and a half, and yet it seemed but a few minutes. There was not an uninteresting sen¬tence or illustration during the entire evening. Ev¬ery word, every sentence, every illustration seemed to have a special force. The speaker carried his hearers with him into every scene, and almost made one feel he was a part of it.—Tribune, Lansing, Mich.
Prof. Ferris is a gifted and eloquent orator, and the subject was handled in a very brilliant and elo¬quent manner. He has a fund of ready wit, which is made use of in illustration, though never so as to detract from the solid elements that make a lecture worth hearing. He never forgets the dignity of the platform. He immediately won his audience and held their attention without interruption, until the end.—Minden City Herald.
Principal Ferris is a brainy man, whose mission in the world is to do good. His lecture on "Suc¬cess" was a felicitous talk, full of pertinent illustra¬tion. It was intensely practical, and was punctuated with rounds of applause.—State Republican, Lansing, Mich.
W. N. Ferris is one of the very best lecturers I have ever heard. He completely captures his audi¬ence, and while interesting them intensely, he drives home many glorious and helpful lessons in life.— H. R. Pattengill, Editor Michigan School Moderator, Lansing, Mich.
There were gathered last night at Union Hall a large audience to hear that remarkable educational genius, W. N. Ferris, of Big Rapids, proprietor of one of the best up-to-date and thorough training schools in the country, deliver one of his excellent lectures. His lecture was full of good things that will not soon be forgotten.—Manistee Herald.
Principal W. N. Ferris needs no introduction to the teachers and patrons of Noble county. He has been with us before, and his addresses on each occa¬sion have charmed, entertained and instructed, as only addresses can that teem with anecdote, illustra¬tion, wit and practical common sense, all happily blended.—Ligonier (Ind.) Leader.
Last evening in the Central M. E. church, Prof. Ferris delivered his famous lecture before a large audience. The subject, "Success," was handled by the orator in a manner both entertaining and in¬structive. Prof. Ferris' striking personality peculi¬arly fits him for the platform, and his lectures are everywhere attended by hosts of admirers.—Soo Democrat, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
The address of Prof. W. N. Ferris was a master¬piece. Prof. Ferris is a man of exceptionally sound judgment and possesses a striking way of presenting his ideas.—Charlevoix County Herald, Charlevoix, Mich.
At the Inspiration Institute for Barry County, Prof. Ferris was on for the lecture. "How to Make the World Better" was the problem, and the pro¬fessor worked it out, receiving hearty plaudits as he touched salient points. Such a lecture cannot be described so as to convey the full import of the words.    It must be heard.—Hastings Journal.
We would like to give our readers this grand lec¬ture in its entirety; there was not a useless sentence in it from beginning to end, and it would be a good thing to keep and read every six months. Hope he will come again.—Hastings Herald, Hastings, Mich.
Prof. W. N. Ferris, always a popular lecturer, gave one of the finest addresses ever heard in Caro. It was crystalized sound sense, abounding in forcible logic and sparkling with humor. No one should ever forget it, and the young man or woman who went away not inspired with better and nobler aspirations, is indeed unworthy of the times in which we live.— Tuscola  Courier,  Caro,  Mich.
The lecture "Making the World Better," given last Friday evening by Prof. W. N. Ferris, of Big Rapids, was greatly enjoyed by a large audience, who anticipated much and realized more. Mr. Ferris speaks with all the earnestness of his nat ire, and the people who know him understand that he feels and practices his precepts. The audience was splen¬didly entertained, but was more splendidly instructed. —Manton Tribune, Manton, Mich.
PRESS NOTICES««Continued
The lecture of Prof. W. N. Ferris, of Big Rapids, on "How to Read Human Nature," delivered in the Presbyterian church under the auspices of the pub¬lic schools, was a fine one. Prof. Ferris always pleases Petoskey audiences and the Methodist church was filled on this occasion.—Petoskey Record, Pe¬toskey, Mich.
Mr. Ferris spoke here under the auspices of the Lincoln Literary Society. He is well known to many of the city, having spoken here several times, and those who went expecting a treat were not dis¬appointed. Mr. Ferris is an entertaining speaker, and one who always leaves an audience better for having listened to what he has to say.—Traverse City Morning Record, Traverse City, Mich.
In the afternoon every seat in the Opera House was filled, while Prof. W. N. Ferris more than met the expectations of his audience. His fearless way of expressing himself, his very evident sincerity and his magnetic personality combine to make him one of the most effective of speakers. Our people have not enjoyed such a treat in many months.—Cedar Springs Clipper, Cedar Springs, Mich.
By far one of the best lectures ever given in Chesaning was "Making the World Better," by Prof. Ferris, of the Ferris Institute, Big Rapids, at the M. E. church, Thursday evening. This was the last of the Epworth League Lecture Course, and we predict the impress left with the listeners will not soon be forgotten.—Chesaning Argus, Chesaning, Mich.
It is too bad the church is not larger, and that everybody within ten miles of town could not have been present. Mr. Ferris isn't so strong on dress suits, but he's mighty powerful on plain truths, de¬livered in a way that permits of no misunderstand¬ing.—The Boyne Citizen.
Mr. Ferris' address, "Making the World Better," was the star event of Friday evening's session, and could not help but impress every one of his hearers with not only the desire, but firm resolve, to do their mite to "make the world better."—Hillsdale Leader, Hillsdale, Mich.
Prof. W. N. Ferris, of Big Rapids, was greeted with the largest audience of any of the C. E. Lecture Course entertainments. He fully sustained his for¬mer popularity and made many new friends, and his lecture on "Success" put the subject in a new light to many.—Rockford Register, Rockford, Mich.
Mr. Ferris took for his subject "The Art of Read¬ing Human Nature." He spoke for an hour and a half and not once was there a dull or uninteresting thought.—The Saginaw Evening News.
Prof. Ferris, of Big Rapids, fully sustained his reputation as a first-class speaker and lecturer at the Opera House on Wednesday evening. He is a close, logical reasoner and makes many good, sharp points. As a lecturer, he is a pronounced success. The house was packed to the doors.—Oxford Globe, Oxford, Mich.
Prof. Ferris is one of those rare and gifted speak¬ers whom it is a pleasure to hear, and we wish it were possible for him to deliver this lecture in every city, village and hamlet in the country. It would indeed, be "making the world better." It is the intention to secure Prof. Ferris for another date in the near future.—Coloma Courier, Coloma, Mich.
On this occasion Mr. Ferris accomplished what few orators are able to do, he held a mixed audience of fully a thousand solid during the entire time he was speaking. This was the greatest compliment that could be paid the professor, as every public speaker well knows the difficulty of holding a solid outdoor audience.—The Barryton  Press.
A large and thoroughly appreciative audience greeted Principal W. N. Ferris, of the Ferris Insti¬tute, Big Rapids, at the M. E. Church last Saturday evening to listen to his lecture upon the subject "Making the World Better." To say that all were delighted with the lecture is putting it mildly. The professor captivated his audience at the very outset and carried them whither he would.—Cass City En¬terprise.
Prof. W. N. Ferris' lecture, "Making the World Better," drew a very large audience to the M. E. church last Friday evening. The seats were all filled early in the evening, and many who came late could not find standing room. Mr. Ferris held the undivided attention of his audience for over two hours and a quarter, telling many truths, some of them old, yet showing many of them in a new light, and all interspersed with sparkling wit and humor, in a manner that proved him to be one of our fore¬most orators. Lectures of this sort are productive of an incalculable amount of good and all agree that Mr. Ferris is doing his share in "making the world better."—Enterprise, East Jordon, Mich.
The Phonographic World, in speaking of the ban¬quet given by the National Commercial Teachers Federation at St. Louis, Mo., says:
Mr. W. N. Ferris, of Big Rapids, Mich., then ad¬dressed the banqueters, taking for his subject, "The Courage that Conquers." This address was, by far, the most forceful and most eloquent of any enjoyed at any session of any section of the Federation at St. Louis.
W. N. Ferris, president of the Ferris Institute, of Big Rapids, gave a lecture in the Fountain Street Baptist church Saturday night, on "The Building of Man." The church was filled to hear the Michigan professor, who has won national reputation on the lecture platform, and the lecture was fully up to his usual high standard.—Grand Rapids Herald.
The lecture given by Prof. Ferris in the Opera House last evening, on the topic, "How to Make the World Better," was perhaps the best that Reed City people have had the pleasure of listening to this season. Sparkling with wit and humor, it was also so full of truths that each individual could appropri¬ate many to himself to good advantage.—Osceola County Democrat, Hersey, Mich.